Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 vs Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 or the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 has the edge at 18 lbs dry weight versus 227 lbs for the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 tops out at 25 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 is certified for 9. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 91" for the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 or the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004?

The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 and Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 and the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 are built by Tahoe Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 vs Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004

Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011

2011

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Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 vs Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 vs Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 135 hp, the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 has a 110-hp advantage over the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 carries 28 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeTahoe Boats

ModelQ4 SS

ModelQ5 S

Model Year2011

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam91 in

Beam96 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches91

Beam - Inches96

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise16 degrees

Depth - Detail29 in

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters73.66

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches29

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail18 in

Draft [max] - Detail12 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.46

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Inches18

Draft [max] - Inches12

Weight - Detail2,270 lbs. with engine

Weight - Detail1800 lbs

Weight - kg1029.65

Weight - kg816.47

Weight - lbs.227

Weight - lbs.18

Length - Feet18.08

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters5.51

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Inches217

Length overall - Inches224

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail34 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.86

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches34

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury®

Engine makenot available

Engine modelMerCruiser® 3.0 l inline 4-cylinder

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Gal2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower135 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max135 hp

Engine max25

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,050 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people8

Maximum people9 Persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all18 ft. 8 in. with swing-away

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight2,697 lbs

Trailer - Weightnot available

Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 vs Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 or the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 has the edge at 18 lbs dry weight versus 227 lbs for the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 tops out at 25 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 is certified for 9. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 91" for the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 or the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004?

The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 and Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 and the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 are built by Tahoe Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Tahoe Boats Q4 SS 2011 full specs ← Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2004 full specs